By Sheri Bachstein

Copyright time

That mirrors the challenges leaders face daily. Inspiring people to act quickly, even when it’s uncomfortable, is one of the hardest parts of leadership. Executing this might mean a leader not only communicates the risks of inaction but also models decisiveness themselves. For instance, when rolling out a difficult organizational change, setting clear guidelines shows visible commitment, and provides immediate small wins that prove why change matters. By doing so, leaders can encourage their team to move before the “storm” fully arrives.

The changing climate of risk

After two decades in this business, I’ve seen risks evolve and intensify. Warming oceans fuel stronger, wetter hurricanes. Tornadoes now strike year-round. Out-of-season extremes, like a cold snap in August or a winter heat wave, are catching communities and businesses off guard.

At the same time, the stakes keep rising. More people live on coastlines. More infrastructure sits in vulnerable zones. Damage totals climb not just because storms are stronger, but because we’ve put more in their path. Preparedness has never been more important, yet too many people still treat weather as an afterthought.